A Mt Pisgah Sunrise

ByMichael Goatbells

After biking last week in Painted Hills, I wanted to make sure my legs hadn’t forgotten how to climb hills. A decent weather day (a bit cool) and a half-moon perfect for a sunrise walk up and around Mt. Pisgah. When I pulled into the parking lot there were 9 cars at 05:15, and then when I left around 9:30 the lot was nearly full and dogs running around everywhere.

The Route

Started from the west trailhead (main lot near arboretum) and went straight up to the top on the main trail (no headlamp needed). After the top, I went down the back side to east trailhead and then back around on trail 4 until the summit path, which I took. Then retraced from the top and headed down trail 4 to trail 3 toward north trailhead, and then turned around and went back over my steps to the top and then back down to car.

Note: trail 3 was temporary closed at east trailhead.

Human traffic was null beyond the main trail until 8:00 and then like ants they were everywhere with their dogs – the number of unleashed dogs and trail-side pooh bags was irrational. Trails are hard and dry – getting too hard.

Friends along the way

Tiny bunnies were everywhere. I must have seen at least a dozen of them and too many of them were not skittish – some raptor or coyote is going to get easy meals. A couple of deer also made their mark, and for the first time, a velvet-antlered young man.

Flowers were out – some past time and in seed, and others blooming their hearts out.

Looking out

I timed the first top shortly after the sun rose and just peaking over the ridge … Diamond Peak with the sun reflecting was spectacular and the valley held many stories in the fog and smoke.

Data Geek Cellar

  • Shoes: Altra Lone Peak mesh lowers – new pair (old ones = 643 miles but holes)
  • Pack: NorthFace 24L
  • Upper Layers: 1 (Tech base layer only)
  • Upper shell: none
  • Trekking Poles: no
  • Approximate Times: 05:15 – 9:30
  • Carbon ratio: +2.6 hours; YTD = 102 hiking hours banked
  • Notes:
    • Photos: medium
    • Speed: fast
    • Difficulty: moderate (3x to top)